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Friday, October 15, 2010

Blog Pressure…

Hey loves! I hope everyone is having a fabulous day!

I am usually talking about all the positive things about blogging but I never really spoke about some of the negative things about it. One thing that has been bothering me lately is “Blog Pressure”. I spoke to my friend Sarah the other day about this and she agreed with me; it is nice to know I am not the only one that feels this way. For example, sometimes I find myself eating more things because of the picture…how dumb is that?

Like some mornings I feel like having just this for breakfast

But I know people would rather look at this…

Or maybe I want to eat fast food but I don’t talk about it here because I know it is frowned upon. Or some days I want to just drink Green Monsters but then I get attacked by people who are unintentionally projecting their own personal issues on to me….because they think I am starving myself.

And it is not just about food, it also affects my workouts too. I get down on myself when I barely run a 10 minute mile and other bloggers are calling their 7 minute miles “easy”…

I am done with comparing myself to other bloggers…and changing who I am to fit the mold. The one thing I LOVE about the blog community is that we are so different and we all bring something different to the table…

So with that being said, this morning I woke up and headed to the park for my version of an easy run…I jogged for 2 miles and walked another 2 to and from the park and I felt fabulous!

I refueled with a Green Monster made with 1/2 a Banana, Spinach, Blueberries, FF Milk, LMM, and Splenda

Do you ever feel pressured because of blogs??? How do you handle it?

Do you have any fun weekend plans?? Mañana I am going on a day trip with Missy to Boston and on Sunday I have a date…I am excited about both things!

23 comments:

I am so glad you wrote about this and it's definitely true for me too. It's pressure I put on myself. I went through a period where I thought I had to keep trying new products or recipes, and that I couldn't eat oats everyday because that would be "boring" for the blog. The pressure I put on myself is one of the many, many reasons I have decided against food journal style blogging, for me personally. I like reading others who do it that way, but it is not for me.

I'm so glad we're all different too and we need to stay that way and not be afraid of it and not feel like we have to "fit in" or be like someone else. :)

Mari! I'm so sorry you've been feeling this way - I know exactly what you're talking about. To be honest, that's why I stopped posting all of my meals. I felt like I had to keep up with everyone else and it wasn't healthy. I was also spending lots of moolah so that I had interesting things. Then I realized that wasn't what I wanted out of my blog so I just stopped. No explanation nothing. I just decided to take a different direction. I'm also thinking about moving to strictly recipes and restaurant reviews with a little health peppered in. I never want to forget that the person I really blog for is me. Not for others. You shouldn't either. I'll be following you even if you just eat a banana for breakfast! ;)

Angela, I have been thinking the same thing about my blog! I'm glad we both figured out that the way we were doing things just wasn't right for us. I like how you said "the person I really blog for is me." Awesome!

I really liked this post! When I began blogging, I felt the pressure and actually gained weight. I had a reality check and went back to my eating ways BEFORE the blog. I now eat what I would normally and exercise as I usually would, and if it isn't worth blogging about.. I just don't blog about it. I know all about the pressure you are talking about. It's lame! I am glad you brought it up :) Have a great weekend, lady!

Hey Mari- GREAT post! I totally know what you're talking about. I used to go through the same thing, but lately, I've been making more of an effort to remind myself that my blog is *my* blog, not anyone else's. It does suck that some people like to judge, but just shrug it off and keep doing the things that make *you* feel awesome. I also know what it's like to read other blogs and feel like I'm running too slow or not eating the right foods, but I've finally realized that it's B.S. If running 10 miles a day at a 7min/mi. pace works for some girls, that's great! It just doesn't work for me. But that doesn't mean I'm any less healthy by squeezing in a 2 mile run at an 11min/mi. pace. Don't belittle your accomplishments!

I remember how excited I was when I first started reading your blog because it was unique and unlike some of the other regular blogs I was reading. You inspired me not only with your love for food and fitness, but also with your outlook on life and yourself.

If other people don't see those qualities in you and would rather judge what eat (or some days, don't feel like eating) or how fast you run, then they're missing the point and just not worthy.

Mari, I am sorry to keep jumping in your comments (lol) but I had to say thanks to Janetha! My original weight loss stalled when I started blogging and I have gone up and down the same 10-15 lbs since then. I really appreciate you sharing that ;)

There is definitely self-made pressure, but I learned a while ago that we are all so different it really does no good to compare ourselves. So if you want to post a banana, post a pic of a banana. It is okay! :)

Totally. I go without breakfast a lot of the time. I have a problem with eating before 6am. I just can't stomach it. My body isn't used to this schedule. I wrote about it once and got a lot of crap. BAH!

I definitely know what you mean. I constantly feel slightly pressured to keep cooking and that my photos have to be good and the whole shebang. It's stressful but way better than thinking about the anatomy test I have the next week.

Chica you are AWESOME and I don't want you to EVER feel like you're not! I'm always proud of you, whether you run two steps or two miles.

saw janetha link this and yes, i feel pressure about content. If i post anything that's not 100% vegan, if it has trace dairy, i am blasted by the vegan community. I cannot post about going to the zoo w/ my child b/c that's animal cruelty so am blasted some more. It extends far past just food..it spills over into ALL aspects of life. So yes, I feel pressure with what I post, big time. Great post Mari!

Great post, Mari! I can totally relate and need to be sure I am using my blog as a means to support my growth and not stifle myself. I don't usually use my readership or shares as a means to create accountability. In other words, if I want to build commitment and discipline in my life there are other ways. Here, I just like to reflect, muse and in some cases share some things I learned and also remember to have fun along the way. That's why I include so many song clips! :) Miss you and send you lots of love! You're awesome!!!! x

I can see how this can happen and how it can get out of hand. I just use other peoples food to amp up my pictures. I'll talk pics of just about anything, but I do not feel so bad anymore if my post is skimping on pics. Don't succumb to the pressure!

I didn't really feel much pressure when I first started blogging, bc I knew from the start I am not a "normal" person in that I needed to gain weight--desperately. Though I saw these people running 50 miles per week, I actually just kind of used that as motivation to gain back my health, so that I can start running too. But I know myself. I'm not a marathoner. My comfort zone is 2-4 miles, and that hasn't changed at all. :)

Good for you to do your own thing, Mari! Blogging is really about finding what's right for YOU...and then sharing that novelty to others. :-)

I think I feel blog pressure, but for different reasons. I feel that I should blog MORE, and read MORE blogs, but then once I start to feel like that I continue reminding myself that this is a HOBBY, not a JOB. You should remind yourself that too. Once you cross that line where you no longer enjoy blogging, it's just not worth it!

Hope you have a blast tonight on your date. I cna't wait to read ALLL about it!! How is that for some pressure?!

I think it's important to notice we are all different and that is really what makes us fabulous. I like you because you are a character and add something to the community- not all the same meals, workouts, etc.

When I am comparing myself, I just take myself out of it. If I feel forced into anything, I don't enjoy it, so I step away.

This is definitely part of the reasons I don't post every meal like I used to. I think "What if this is boring?" or "What if this doesnt look pretty and such b/c I dont have a nice camera like others?" and such, its kinda sad. Glad you put it out there and hope you had a fabulous time in Boston :)

I found this link on your last post and you have such a good point!! I think the most important thing to remember is that blogging should be FUN, not a source of pressure or anxiety. I see so many people getting rude comments for eating too little or too much, for eating certain things, and for exercising a certain way. No one knows what's in your head but you, so it's up to each of us to determine what food, exercise and BLOG choices are best for us :)

Sorry I am just now commenting! I actually felt the pressure for awhile too. I have basically stopped logging my workouts everyday because people get way too into and try to compete with me. I just want to do my own thing and help people when I can! Do you know what I mean? Message me or something if you need to talk about it!

Ya'll, I think that I caught the running bug again. This weekend I headed to Forest Park to support my friend who was doing her first 5K...

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I know how it is to be on the "other" side and just want to help others reach their health and fitness goals! I am a 500 Hour Yoga Teacher and began my personal practice over 13 years ago and have been sharing my love for yoga for 3 years. I believe Yoga should be all inclusive and every body is a yoga body. My classes are suitable for all ages and levels of experience. You don’t have to be flexible and “bendy”, just willing to learn and enjoy the journey on your mat.